The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-24
FoRrY-N1NrH CONGRESS.
Routine Business in the House-The River
and Harbor Bill.

and Harbor Bill.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22-Mr Hammond. of
Georgia, from the committee on judiciary, re-
ported back, adversely, the resolutions calling
the Attorney general for information as to the
legal authority under which the directors Of the
Union Pacific railroad consolidated that COM
pany with the Kansas Pacific and the Denver
Pacific railroad companies and reorganized the
same under the name Of the Union Pacific Rail-
way Company, and under which this lastnamed
company issued stock and trust loans. Laid on
the table
The report accompanying the resolution
states that the information desired will be OBJ
tanned IL the joint resolution which passed the
House few days ago for the investigation OF
the accounts of the Pacific railroads shall be-
come law; and that for seventy years, from
Writ to Garland. it has been uniformly held that
the Attorney genera, cannot legally give opn-
ons when called upon by Congress its COM
ntteesI
Mr.. Wilson. of West Virginia, from the COM
nttee on appropriations, reported the District
Of Columbia appropriation bill, and it was re-
serred to the committee of the whole. It makes
stotal appropriation of .929, while the es-
Inmates submitted by the commissioners aggre-
gated 81, 20S 494 The appropriation for the cur
rent year was $3.57S, 263 The principal items of
increase are in the appropriations for improve
ments of streets and for the public schools. No
appropriation isemade for the extension of the
suburban streets and avenues.
Mr. Laffcon. of Kentucky, from the committee
on public lands. reported back the bill for the
forfeiture of the New Orleans Baton Rouge &
Vicksburg land grant, and to confirm titles to
certain lands, with Senate amendments thereto,
with recommendation that the amendments be
soncurred in
- Mr.. Blanchard, of Louisiana, hoped that that
would be done. The only purpose of the amend
men,s was to protect the title of settlers
Mr.. Weaver of Iowa, moved to refer the bill
and amendments TO the committee of the whole.
Lsst-yeas 70. nays 142 The amendments were
then concurred in-yeas l51, nays 81.
Mr.. Hill, of Ohio, from the committee on Terri
tories reported back adversely, the bill to open
land communication with the Territory of
Alaska. Laid on the table,
Mr.. Wallace. of Louisiana, offered resolu-
tion which was adopted, reciting that the Pres
ident and Senate have agreed to and ratified a
convention by which the terms of the treaty be-
tween the United States and the government of
che Hawaiian Islands had been extended seven
gears longer, and that the treaty contains pro-
visions for the admission of certain articles free
of duty, and instructug the committee on the
judiciary to inquire into these facts and report
to the House whether q treaty which involves
the rate of duty to be imposed any article,
can be valid and binding without the concurrence
of the House of Representative
The House then resumed, In the morning
hour consideration of the bill increasing the
rate of pension allowed for total deafness to $40
month. The opponents of the bill refrained
from voting, and left the House without quo
rum, and in this condition it remained until the
morning hour expired, and the bill went over
without action.
Mr. Willis, Of Kentucky, moved that the
House go into committee of the whole for the
further consideration of the river and haroor
appru priaton bill.
In retaliation for refusal of many of the Demo.
Gratis to vote upon the pension bill number OF
the Republicans refused to vote upon this mo-
tior; but quorum was secured. and the motion
was agreed to-yeass 1o6 nays no. motion to
10y table Emotion to reconsider this vote,
necessitated another roll call, and then the
House went into committee of the whole.
Mr. Stone, of Missouri, opposed the bill be-
cause 90 per cent of the waterways sppropr rated
for were of only local Importance. and because
many of tho appropriation were for the eontsnu-
ance OF works at places where the halancasss.s.-
ready sufficient TO answer ~ reorire-
ments for tha next fiscal va-sS7
Mr Casching Of X ssissipns. made 8 carefully
prepared 'speee91 explanatory and eulogiskic OF
me Wot !. OF the Mit;sisspni river Commnsinn.
Gu ~ t4voY OF continuance OF the improve
neissA1g ia accordance With the plans prepared by
which, be ccntende1, had accomplished al
that its most ardent friends could wish.
Thu seneral debate hegciosed. tia commiffee
rose aad ne 10 nAsse adjourned.